NGC 2903 is a fine object for a small telescope. It would have been a worthy member of Messierâ€™s catalogue, compared with the other entries from the constellation of Leo. This spiral galaxy lies 20 million l-y away. Locating NGC 2903 is simple : it can be found at 1.5Â° south of Lambda Leonis, near the nose of the Lion. From my light polluted backyard, the galaxyâ€™s core and stellar nucleus are the first features that show up. The core appears elongated in pa 15Â°. The galaxy might disappoint you at first and look rather small. With patience and averted vision, the faint but large halo starts to light up against the background glow. The galaxy seems to grow in the eyepiece, when you take the time to make a sketch.

This is a fine sketch of a bright barred spiral galaxy in Leo. This sketch like your others is very impressive, realistic and full of details. I cannot pick this one out with my 4.25 inch reflector but my sky glow is very much a problem on most spring nights.Excellent post!

An excellent observation of an interesting galaxy in Leo. It is ironic that Charles Messier did not record this galaxy as one of his objects but he came close to doing so. Thank you for sharing it with us all.